Gaining Access To Repair Power Windows,
Door Locks, Side Mirrors, Stereo Speakers and More.
(Covers Model Years 2001 to 2006)
In This Article:
Side mirror cover is removed. Various screws are removed and then the door panel is pried away. Electrical connectors are disconnected to separate the panel from the door.
This 2002 Kia Optima had
six screws and snap clips fastening the plastic
door panel to the metal door shell.
Here's a nice touch: the side view mirror can be
removed without removing the door panel.
I pried on the plastic
cover next to the side view mirror. I used a rigid putty
knife (with masking tape on the blade to prevent scratching)
and released the snap clips from the metal door.
To disconnect the speaker wires,
I pried up on the lock tab with a small flat screwdriver and
pulled the connector apart.
With the flat screwdriver I pressed in the lock
tab and separated the wire connector for the side
view mirror.
IF I
needed to remove the side mirror, I would use a
10mm socket to remove 3 nuts (red arrows).
Caution: Have someone hold the side view
mirror when removing it. The mirror can easily
fall and break or scratch the paint on the door.
At the front of the door,
I used a small flat screwdriver to pry off the
center screw cover.
Caution: This cover can fly off and
be very difficult to find.
Then I removed the screw
with a Phillips screwdriver.
I opened the screw cover located behind the
inside door latch handle by inserting the flat
screwdriver in the notch in the cover and
lightly prying.
Then with a
Phillips screwdriver I removed the screw from
the cover
I used a rigid putty knife and pried on the
front area of the cover to release the snap
clips.
Then I slid the plastic cover forward (with
the door handle pulled
open) to unhook it from behind the handle.
Back view of latch handle cover.
At the bottom of the inside pull handle I
removed the screw cover...
...and
removed the Phillips screw in the door pull.
Then I removed the screw cover from
upper rear area of the plastic door panel.
This fastener is only visible when the door is
open.
Using a
Phillips screwdriver I removed the screw.
With a Phillips screwdriver I removed the two
screws from the bottom of the door panel.
I started
prying at each lower corner with the rigid putty
knife...
...and worked upward to release the snap clips
from the metal door shell.
I pulled the
plastic door panel outward slightly and lifted upward
to remove it from the metal door shell.
Using a small flat screwdriver, I pressed in
the lock tab on the electrical connector and then I pulled
the connector apart.
I
disconnected two more electrical connectors
(arrow), and the door panel was completely
separated from the car.
View of back side of plastic door panel.
View of metal
door shell with dust cover.
Removing The Rear Door Panel:
The rear door on this 2002 Kia Optima had a hidden screw that was not
found in the front door.
Using the
small flat screwdriver I removed the
center screw cover...
...and then I unscrewed the Phillips screw from
the upper rear of the door panel.
At the bottom
of the inside pull handle I removed the cover...
...then I removed the Phillips screw.
Behind the
inside door latch handle I opened the mounting
screw cover with a small flat screwdriver.
Then I removed the Phillips screw.
I used a
rigid putty knife (red arrow) to pry at the front area of the
plastic trim ring and release the snap clips.
Then slid the cover
forward to unhook it at the rear.
View of back of inside door handle trim cover.
I removed the
Phillips screw that was exposed after the cover
was removed.
Then removed the Phillips-head screws from the
bottom of the door panel.
Using a rigid putty
knife, I pried at the lower
corner of the door panel and released the snap clips around the
outside edge of the plastic
panel.
I pulled outward slightly
on the panel and lifted upward to remove the
plastic panel from the metal door frame.
I pushed in the lock tab and unplugged the
electrical
connector from the power window switch.
Then
the door panel was separated from the car.
View of back
of the plastic door panel.
View of rear door metal door frame with plastic
moisture barrier.
